Juvi problems, can you help?

[Mickykayla]

I acquired a leopard gecko 3 weeks ago. He is in his own in a viv and just will not eat! I've provided as much info as I can below:

Sex: Male
Length: Just under 7 inches
Weight: 23g
Age: Unknown but young.
Viv: 2 ft viv with 3 hides, one moist, one at cool and one at warm end. Water and calcidust always available. Been in there for 3 weeks.
Sub strait: tiles, previous owner had him on repti carpet
Heat: Under tank heater, temps are correct.
Health: Feces sample sent to vet and came back clear, active, has good eyesight.
Foods tried: Locust, mealwoms, crickets, waxworms. He has only had two waxworms. I left a pot of mealworms in his viv for a few days at a time and none went. Same with locust and crickets. I put two waxies in there and they went overnight.
I think the previous owner had problems getting him to eat too.

He seems settled in and comfortable. Previous owner said they fed him on mealies, crickets and waxworms however when I went to pick him up the moist hide was very dry with a colony of crickets living in there, so I guess he wasn't eating them.


I don't want to feed him just on waxworms, but I do want him to eat.
What should I do?

Thanks

 

[STUTFL]

Mmm, waxworms -- he'll probably keep picking those out given a choice; if his weight isn't dropping too low maybe you should just take away that choice? :main_thumbsup: It sounds like there's a nice variety of feeders you have to work with, which is a plus, and you can always try a new (nutritious) one if those just aren't tempting him.
And of course, sometimes the new kids take a while to get settled and start eating either way.

That's all I have; next panelist! :main_laugh:

 

[GeckoCrossing]

Stop feeding waxworms right away. They're very fatty and addictive. If you keep offering them, your gecko will just hold out for them. As long as he is not losing weight he will be fine. He could still be stressed from moving to a new home. Keep handling to a minimum and let him be for a few days, then try feeding something that isn't waxworms. Use a shallow dish and pull the back legs off crickets and leave them in the dish to see if he eats while you're not hovering over him, or just leave some mealworms in the dish to try them.

 

[Mickykayla]

I have tried all this. He has only had two waxworms. I left a pot of mealworms in his viv for a few days and none went. Same with locust and crickets. I put two waxies in there and they went overnight. He has been left alone for 3 weeks is the same viv. I think the previous owner had problems getting him to eat too.

 

[Shorty.ire]

i had a similar issue with one of my guys
i tryed not offering waxworms and he went one a hunger strike (i would still try this as a first option)
when all else failed i tricked the wee one, i would offer a waxworm and immediately follow it with a healthier option from a tongs, then offer one waxie and 2/3 mealies/crix upping the numbers of better food after the waxworm each time he fed. took a few feeds but i got him off the waxworms

 

[katie_]

You have only had him for 3 weeks?
He is probably still stressed from the move.
You could try butter or horn worms, they are healthier.

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

I got a new gecko about a month ago, and barely started eating a week ago, id try leaving it alone and taking out all food items for a day or 2 and trying again ( another tip is that some geckos only eat off the floor and some wont eat infront of you).

 

[Josm315]

None of my leos seem to go for eating out of the bowl. I always have to drop it in front of their hide. They've gotten so lazy that they don't go after dubia anymore. =/ Mealworms ahoy.

 

[katie_]

I would start to worry until you see dramatic weight loss, or you go over a couple months without eating.
Some times your stressing and worrying, constantly poking your head in the tank and moving things around can make things worse.
I had a baby snake who wouldnt eat for 5 weeks. I know its not a leo, but reptiles can go a while without eating when stressed.

 

[Mickykayla]

I would start to worry until you see dramatic weight loss, or you go over a couple months without eating.
Some times your stressing and worrying, constantly poking your head in the tank and moving things around can make things worse.
I had a baby snake who wouldnt eat for 5 weeks. I know its not a leo, but reptiles can go a while without eating when stressed.

Thanks